After several days of speculation and text-message confirmations, the Detroit Red Wings officially announced the signing of free agent forward Mike Modano on Thursday.

Though financial terms were not announced, several sources report that he will make $1.25 million on a one-year deal. Reportedly there are performance-based bonuses that could push Modano's pay up to $1.5 million.

The 40-year-old Modano had played his entire career for the Minnesota / Dallas franchise.

As George Malik puts it, that's just Ken Holland doing his due diligence. Of course he asked, but there's no way Modano would take a league-minimum contract to play on the fourth line just because it's Detroit.

Holland also asked about Slava Kozlov. Similarly, not gonna happen.

I'd love it if either of those cases did happen but the Wings already have 14 forwards, 13 if they risk sending Mattias Ritola through waivers. They want a grit guy they can sign to a two-way deal and bring up when needed, Modano is not that.

Sorry but I'm under the impression that since McDonald is signed with the wings he can be called up at any time. All they would need to do is scratch on or other goalie. Theres no risk, I want Modano to sign, we'll have a team like 02 or 08 again.

Scratching a player just means they're not in the lineup on a given night.

MacDonald can be called up at any time but in order to make room on the roster (not necessarily in the lineup) for him then Wings would need to remove a player from that roster.

But much of the buzz seems to be that moving Drew Miller and/or Derek Meech won't be a big deal, so maybe I'm worrying too much about roster limits. Or maybe people just want this to work. I want it to work, I just don't see it as a fit right now. Maybe by the end of the summer it will be one.

Clark, I'm surprised I haven't seen a Jersey # prediction from you yet... My buddy Chase and I have been debating the number he'll choose. Chase seems to think he'll take 91. I'm not convinced. It will be a very tough call! I think he would be more likely to take another "single number" like #3, since 3 X 3 is 9.... I don't know.... What do you think?

I was going to save the jersey number prediction for my annual number roundup, if he even signs.

Right now I'm guessing #27 (which he's worn in the All-Star Game when #9 was taken) or #8 (with Abdelkader switching). I'd prefer to see him in #90 or #91 'cause I think they look cool (and if Meech can take Shanahan's number, Modano certainly can have Fedorov's).